Governance in Graduate Studies
at the University of Toronto
October 31, 2013
Emma Thacker
Governance & Policy Coordinator
Louis Charpentier’s presentation “Understanding
the University: Governance, Administration and
Decision Making.”
Also offered by ODLC:
Next session: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
9 am–12 pm
www.odlc.utoronto.ca
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Topics
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What is Governance?
Parts of Governance
Governance—Roles
Graduate Governance
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Quality Assurance
Consultation
Accountability & Transparency
Best Practices
Policies & Guidelines
Contacts
References
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What is Governance?
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Shared purpose consistent with the institution’s mission.
Process and practice through which an entity organizes
itself to achieve its mandate.
Concerned with the structures and procedures for
decision-making, accountability, control, and codes of
conduct.
Expressed through legislation, policies and by-laws, and
informal norms.
Goal to achieve peak performance
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Parts of Governance
Effective governance has:
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Structure: e.g., Unicameral Structure, Faculty
Council, Delegated Committee systems
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Instruments: e.g., University of Toronto Act (1971);
UTQAP (2011); Policy, Regulations, Frameworks
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Process: e.g., Consultative process (also a
Principle of Governance)
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Governance—Roles
• Roles in the Faculty
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Faculty members, Chairs/Directors
Faculty Council, standing committees
Chair of Council, Members, Secretary
• Roles at SGS
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Graduate Education Council
Dean, School of Graduate Studies/ Vice-Provost
Graduate Education (dual role)
Vice-Dean, Programs
Director, Quality Assurance & Governance
Coordinator & Officer, Governance & Policy
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Graduate Governance
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Policy, regulations, guidelines
SGS Calendar
New programs
Major modifications
Minor modifications
Program reviews
o Collaborative programs
o Graduate degree programs
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Principles of Governance
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Governing Council—October 2010
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Good governance begins with appropriate
disclosure, transparency, and clear lines of
accountability between governance and
administration.
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Aspects of this framework include:
o Membership, Role, Nature of Meetings,
Expectations and Attributes, Identification and
Selection, Orientation and Education, Evaluation
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Quality Assurance
• What is Quality Assurance (QA)?
• Why is it important?
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Changing landscape in higher education
Graduate studies is dynamic
QA increases accountability
Protection of students and the University reputation
Tool that allows for autonomy, academic freedom
• How is QA linked to Governance?
o Governance is a shared process by which QA
functions
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Consultation
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Consultation allows for broad and diverse
representation.
It enriches decision-making by bringing all
stakeholders to the table.
Stakeholder consensus and participation is an
important principle—consensus is reached through
consultation.
Examples: working groups, advisory committees,
steering committees, process for approval of
program modification/new program (UTQAP).
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Accountability & Transparency
• The University is made accountable through transparency,
appropriate disclosure of its actions, and communication to
both internal and external stakeholders. Governance
processes are clear and communicated.
• An example of transparency: Faculty Constitutions and bylaws that clearly lay out the process for all decision-making
within the Faculty.
• Another example is the GCT, which hosts all modifications for
programs, making change apparent. Lastly, the SGS
Calendar has several functions, but is also a tool to ensure
transparency for students.
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Accountability & Transparency
Good governance records will:
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Clearly identify the item to be discussed/approved
Provide the item’s jurisdictional information
Indicate the governance path of the proposal
Share any relevant background on the proposal
item, including the previous actions taken;
e.g., consultation process, proposal proponents
Specify what is the recommendation sought by the
Council/committee
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Best Practices
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Application of the principles of good governance.
Minute-taking—ODLC offers tutorials.
Online/web access to (non-confidential) governance
documents (agendas, minutes, proposals for
consideration, etc.).
Understanding governance—orientation of governance
processes and roles to those involved.
E.g., A & S—Intro to Faculty Governance document—
plain language.
Engage in good governance record-keeping.
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Policies & Guidelines
Where to find them:
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Relevant to graduate studies:
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/facultyandstaff/Pages/Policies-andGuidelines.aspx
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Others available from Governing Council:
www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Governing_Council/Policies.htm
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Contacts
Emma Thacker [email protected]
Governance & Policy Coordinator
Erin McMahon [email protected]
Governance & Policy Officer
Jane Alderdice [email protected]
Director, Office of Quality Assurance & Governance
www.sgs.utoronto.ca
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References
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Principles of Good Governance, U of T Governing Council
2010
Mandate of Governance, U of T Governing Council, 2010
University of Alberta, Governance FAQ, 2010
Chait, Holland and Taylor, “Improving the Performance of
Governing Boards,” 1996.
Shattock, M. “Managing Good Governance in Higher
Education,” 2006.
Principles of Institutional QA in Canadian Higher Education,
AUCC 2013.
Gayle, Tewarie, White, “Governance in the Twenty-First
Century University,” 2011.
Oxford Dictionary—Definition of QA.
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